Mechanism for securing balls to tape or the like.



J. GHRISTY. MECHANISM FOR SECURING BALLS T0 TAPE OR THE LIKE. AYPLIOATION FILED HAB.20,1913. 1 ,1'D7,758.

Patented Aug. 18, 19M

2 BH-EETS-SHEET 1.

J. CHRISTY. FOR SEOUBING BALLS TO TAPE 0B. AYPLIOATION rum) MAE. 20,101

THE LIKE.

MECHANISM Patented Aug.18, 19m

z sanms- SHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS CU. PHOTO-THO WASHINGIUN, D. C.

SATENTGFFICE. p

'onicrnnsfrarn JAMES.CHR1STY,; OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

To all whomit mug concern Be it known that I, James Gnms'rr, a citi- MEoH NIsM non. SECURING BA LS r TAPE on THE LIKE.

by dotted lines; and'FigUS), a broken plan V Specification of Letters Patent.

view of the finished ball-equipped tape pro duced byniy improved mechanism.

p Patented A11 18, 1914. a lication filed March 20,1913. Serial No ses-s7. i i 1 l zen of the United StatesJ-esiding at Chif The base-portion of the machine is repre- 55 cago, in county of Cook and State of Esented at and in the construction illus- 5 Illinois, have invented a new and useful Iin- .trated is ofa form adapting it to be secured provenient in Mechanism for Securing Balls to the top of a table represented at 11. 'The to Tape or the like, of which the following base lflis eqnig'iped with a pair of ilipwardlyis a specification. extending lugs '12 spaced apart and carrying My invention. relates to mechanism of the apin forming afulcrurn for a lever 14 lo'- l0 variety adapted to secure balls to the ends ca ted between said lugs and extendingat its of tape, or the like, for use more particularly lower end throughopenings l5 and 16 inthe in connection with the nnn'iuit'acture of f c 10 and table-top,1 1., respective1y," 1e

m and my bj t rallystatcd, are, lower end of. this lever, in practice, preferto id hi of the variety above} ably being' connected with treadle, mec a 15 stated which shall be simple of construction, ii-sh! (n t s o n) fol Operat ng it,as. scol i economical of manufacture and positii e in 5 mon in mechanism of this character-J operation; by which theopevations of fasl The female die-member of the inachine is toning balls to the ends of tapes may be formed of relatively-movahle sections 17 and '70 quickly effected and the ballblank formed 18, which are supported on the top of a hori- 20 into a substantially perfect sphere and zontally-disposcd extension 19 ot' thebase'IO firmly attached to the tape by a single operain the particular construction illustratedjthe tion, and without requiring the forming of section 17*heing stationarily secured to the a knot in the tape. a l GXtQIlSlOIllQ, as by screws 20, and the section Referring to the accompanying drawings, 18 being pivoted near its rear end on said .5 Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly seeextension, as indicated at 21, to permit itto tional, of mechanism, constructed in accordbe moved at its forward end toward and ance with my invention, for securing balls to away from the section 17; f

tapespor the like, the machine being shown l lacl'i o'li the sections17 and lScontains in 8 0 in normal position. Fig. 2 is a view in front its inner side at its forward end a recess, 22,

30 elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a section these recesses being of such form and so dis; taken at theline 3 on Fig. 1 and viewed in posed, asillustrated, as to cause an opening the direction of the arrows. Fig. l is of circular-shape in cross-section to be prean enlarged section; taken at, the "line seated, when the section 18 is Sw'unfilzitef l on Fig. l and viewed in the direeallyinto contact with the section 17 (.Fig.

tion of the arrows, showing a piece of" 5).the walls of the rebesses 22 being of tape with a ball-blank positioned thereon sl'iherical contour at their bottom portions, and in position in the machine for being as represented at 28, and tern'linating in j operated on to form the blank into a ball slightly upwardly-inclined surfaces 24 sur- '90 3 and secure it to the tape. Fig. is a similar rounding openiugs 25 in the bottoms of the 10 view showing the parts inthe position they recesses 22. the front walls of the openings assume after the lull-forming operation. I being straight, as rc tiresenled at 26, ,with Fig. 6 is a plan view ofthe sectional inemthe other portions thereof of are-shal ae.

, bers of the female member of the die. this The male die-member in the construction I view being taken at theline 6 on Fig. 5 and illustrated is in the form ofa rod 27; gear 5 viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 edly confined in openings in the basef10 to is a view in elevation of the ball-blank, prefpermit it to be vertically reciproeated and erably employed, and a piece of tape to be l'u'iving a downwardly-turned sect-ion 2d the assembled therewitlnthe blank being shown underside of whichjcontains a recess 29of in section. Fig. Sis a view in sectionalelespherical form, at which, in the operation of J ration of the ball formed by the machine, the mechanism, the member 28 presses the tape to which it is secured being shown against the ball-blank, hereinafter described, in the fem aleidie-mernber, the 'meiiibet'QS being so disposed that when it is depressed it will register with and enter the opening, formed by the recesses 22, in the female diemember, as hereinafter set forth.

In the operation of the device the section 18 is first swung into contact atits forward .end with the section 17, and the male plunger-member 28 is then depressed to enter the female die-members and operate on the ball-blank, as hereinafter described, these operations in the preferred illustrated embodiment of my invention being effected by the single operation of the lever 14 through the medium ,of the following-described means: A coiled spring 30 surrounds the'rod 27 and holds the latter normally in raised position wherein it extends at its upper end into the path of movement of the lever 1st in rocking downwardly at its forward'end, and thus-when the lever 1.4: is actuated the member .28 is depressed into the female cliemembers, the upper end of the rod 27 exten'dinginto a slot 14 in the lever let for holding the rod 27 rigid and preventing it from turning The lever 1 1, at its forward end, is provided with a cam-surface 31 adapted to engage the edge of the section 18, at its forward end, and swing it into en gagement with the secti n 17 when the lever 1st is swung downwardly at its forward end; and with a cam-surface 32 adapted to engageathe rear end of the section 18 and swing it away from the section 17 when the lever lt is swung in the reverse direction, the parts of the mechanism being so arranged and proportioned that the section 18 will be moved into contact with the section 17 before the male plungermember 28 has lowered sufficiently to contact with the ballblank arranged in the female die-members as hereinafter described.

The operation of the mechanism is as followsziThe tape such as that represented at '33 and to which a ball is to be secured is positioned, by the operator, at its upper end flatwise against the front side 34 of the extension 19, (Fig. at) which latter is preferably recessed, as represented at Prior to the positioning of-the tape as described, or after it has been so position-ed, a ball-blank as for'example that represented .at 36, is positioned over the upper end of the tape 33 (Fig. 4:) to lie between the recesses 22,

. the ball-blank illustrated and which is of a to descend. As the section 18 thus swings, it causes the tape 33 immediately below the blank 36 to curl (Fig 5) by engaging the tape between the walls of the openings 25, such curling action being insured by the provision of the curved recess 35 in the extension 19, and forces the blank toward the wall of the recess 22 in the section 17, the tape 33 at the end of the movement of the member 18 being gripped between the walls of the openings 25, (Fig.' 5). The plungermember 28 in descendingengages the spherical surface 37 of the blank 36 and crowds it downwardly, the prongs38, by engaging with the spherical and upturned portions and 24, respectively, of'the recesses curl: ing inwardly and finallyupwardly (Figs. 5 and 8) into rigid, preferably penetrating, engagement with the tape 33 on the interior of the ball thus formed and represented at 39, a yoke 10 carried by the lever 14 serving as a clamp to prevent the sections 17 and 18 from spreading during the operation just described. Upon releasing the treadle, above referred to, the spring 30 returns the lever 1-1- and rod 27 to normal position (Figs. .1, 2 and 4t) and thusthe section 18, by engagement of the cam 32 therewith, is automatically 3 and l, preparatory to again being operated in which open condition of the female diesections the tape with the finished ball there on may be readily removed from the machine.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that by reason of the fact that the forming surfaces for the blank are unmutilated, the only opening therein being at the bottom thereof where the tape enters the ball, a ball of substantially perfect spherical form, with the tape neatly folded where it enters the ball, may be produced by a single operation of the lever; and further that the upward deflection of the prongs 38 operate to prevent the tape 33 from pulling out of theball 39, thus avoiding the necessity of knotting the tape with consequent economy in amount of tape required to be used. It will also be manifest that in my machine the tape and ball may 'be quickly andeasily positioned, preparatory to operation thereon by the forming mechanism and that danger of producing defective articles is reduced to the minimum.

Another advantage afforded by my invention, when embodied in the preferred form, is the omission of overhung bearings which render a machine expensive to manufacture. 7 I

While I have described my improved machine for use in assembling balls with pieces of tape, it will be readily understood that it has equal applicability to the assembling of cords, string and the like, with balls, it being swung tothe position illustrated in Figs. 2,

1,107,758 a 1 is within my invention to use it with cords, string and the like as Well as tapes of any description. FHIt-hGI'HIOIB, While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intendingto limit it to such thereof in said base with its opposite end carrying a male die, means tending to hold said U-shaped member in raised condition, and a rock-lever fulcrumed on said base with one end above said U-shaped member, and into the path of movement of which said Ushaped member extends, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member, a surface beneath said die-member and extending part way across the recess therein and against which the tape is positioned to extend into said die-member, and a male die-member cooperating with said female die-member, said surface extending lengthwise of the path of movement of said male die-member.

3. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member formed of relatively-movablc sections, a suit face beneath said die-member and extending part Way across the recess formed between the sections of said die-member and against which the tape is positioned between the sections of said die-member, a male die-member, and meansfor actuating said male die-member, said surface extending lengthwise of the path of inovei'nent of said male die-member.

I. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member formed of relatively movable sections, a surface beneath said die-member and extending part ay across the recess formed between the sections of said die-member and against which the tape is positioned between the sections of said die member, a male die-incur her, and means for actuating; said male die- 1 member, said surface extending lengthwise member.

of the path of movement of said male die-i 5. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member, and a male die-member adapted to enterl said female die'member, the end of said female die-member opposite to that entered by the male die-member, containing an operr ing of less Width thanthe recess in said female dienen'mer', for the purpose set forth.

forth.

1 6. In aui'iacliineof tliecharacter set forth, the combination of akfemale die-member formed of relatively:movable sections, and,

a male =dic-incnilicrfadapted to enter one end of said female di member, said female diemember containing in its end opposite to that entered by said maleft lie-member, an

openingof less widththan the recess in said female die-membtu',

I 7; In a machinc of the clniracter set forth,

for the purpose formed of relatirely-movable sections, a male die-memberadapted to enter one end of said female die-member, said female die-- member containing in i. cud oppositmto that entered by said male die-member, an opening of less width than the recess in said female die-nicnil'ier, and mea ns for actuating said die-members. i

8.1a a machine of the character set forth, the combii'iation of a female die-meniliicr containing a blank-receiving recess having an opening in its bottom, said female die-111cmher being formed of relatively movable sec tion's together forming said recess; a surface beneath said die-member adjacent to said opeiiing againstuvhich surface andin which: opening the tape positioned between said dic nlemltiers, a maledie meu'ilier, and means for actuating ridmale die-meta her said surface cxtendn'ig lengthwise of the path of movement of said male diemember. i

i). In a machine of the character set forth,

the combination of a female die-member com taming a blanit-receiving recess having an opening in its bottom of general circular shape enlarged at its forward portiom said female die-incmb being "formed of relatRely-movable St tions together forming said recess, a surface beneath said die-mem b-e inljacent to said opening against which the tape is positioned between said dic'memhers, a male die-member,and means foractuatinp; said male die-member;

.10. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female (lieqi'iemher con tainiug a blanlt-rcceiving recess having an opening in its bottom of general circular shape and ciilargcil at its forward portion with. its front wall substantially st night,

:5: id female ilie-memljierf being formed of relativcly-movable s ctions together forming said recess, a surface beneath said die member adjacent to said opening against which the tape is positioned bet 'cen said die-members; a male die-member, and means for actuating; said male die-member.

t 1. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a femaledie-inem'bercontaining a blank-receiving recess having an openingin its bottom, said female die-member being formed of relatively-movable"sections together forming said recess, a con tape is positioned betweensaid die-members,

a male die-membenand means for actuating said male diemember.

12. In a machine 'of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member containing a blanlcreceiving recesshaving an opening in its bottom, said female die-member being formed of a relativelystationary section and a section movable toward and away from said stationary section, said sections together formingsaid recess, a. surface beneath said die-member adjacent to said opening against which surface and in which opening the tape is positioned be tween said d1emembers, a male die-member, and means for actuating said male diemember.

13. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female dieme.mber containing a blank-recelving recess having an opening in its bottom, a surface be;

neath said die chamber adjacent to said opemngagamst which surface and in which (pening "the tape positioned in said. recess;

and a male die-member cooperating with said female die1nember, said surface. eX- tending lengthwise of the path of movement of said male-member.

H. In .a machine. for tipping tape ends with prcnged ball-lflanks, the combination of a female die-member containinga blankreceiring recess shaped to bend. inwardly the prongs on said blanks and having an openingin its bottom, said female die-member.

being formed of relatively-movable sections together forming said recess, the opening in said female die-member being of less width thanthewidth of the tape when said sections are closed together, and a male diemember cooperating with. said female diemember.

15. In a machine of the character set forth, the mbination of a female die member containing a blank-receiving recess having an opening in its bottom, said female die-member being ii'ormeiil of relatively i'now able sections together forming said recess, the openingin said female dieanember being of less width when said sections are closed together than the width of said tape, a surface beneath said die-member adJaCent' to said opening against which surface and in which opening the tape is positioned between-saidv die-members, and a male die member cooperating with said female diemember, said surface extending lengthwise of the path of movement of said male clieinember. f

16. In machine for tipping tape-ends with pi'onged ball-blanks, the combination of a female die-member containing a recess fleeting the ends the-lower portion of which is of substantially spherical form, a male die-member cooperating therewith, and means in said recess for upwardly deflecting the ends of the prongs of the ballblank.

.17. In a machine for tipping tape-ends with pronged ball-blanks,- the combination of a female-die-member containing a recess the lower portion. of which is of substantially spherical form with an opening in the bottom of said recess for the tape, amale die-member cooperating with said female die-member, and means in said recess for upwardly deflecting the ends of the prongs of the ball-blank.

18. in a machine, for tipping tape-ends with prongedball-blanks, the combination of a female die-member containing a recess the lower portion-of which is of substantially spherical form, the bottom of said recess containing a tape-receiving opening and the lower part of said recess being of general spherical form, a male die-member cooperating with said female die-member, and means in said recess for upwardly deof the prongs of the ballblank. I a i i 19. In a machine for tipping tape-ends with pronged ball-blanks, the combination of -a female die-mcmber formed of relatively-movable sections containinga recess, the lower portionof whichis of substantially spherical form, a male die-member cooperating therewith, and means in said recess for upwardly deflecting the ends of the prongs of the ball-blanl s A 20in a machine for tipping tape-ends with pronged hall-blanks, the combination of av female die-member formed of rela tirely-movable sections containing a recess,

the lower portion of which is of substantially s iiherical form, male diemember co operating tl'ierewith, means in said recess for upwardly deflecting the ends of the prongs of the ballblanl s, and means for actuating.

said. male and female die-members.

In a machine of the character set forth. the crmhination of a female dismember formed of relatively-movablc sections containing a blank-receiving recess having an opening in its bottom, a surface beneath said die-member adjacent to said opening against which surface and in which opening the tape is positioned in said recess, and a male die-member cooperating with said female die-member, said surface extending lengthwise of the path of movement of said male die-member.

22. In mechanism. of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member formed of relatirely-movable sections,

and a male die-member adapted to enter said female die-member, the end of said female die-member, opposite to thatentered by the walls of male die-member, containing less width than that of the in said iemale die-memlmr sidistantially concentric said recess.

523. In a machine oi the character set l'or'th, the combination o'la female die-incur her 'lormed oi relativcly-movablc members, a male dieonemher adapted to enter said female die-member, (lie-i'nemher, opposite to that entered by the male die-member, containing an opening of less width than the width of the formingrece s in said female die-member and extending substantially concentric with the said recess, and a tapep(.:sitionin;;- .l-lLllTihLtU below said recess and erccnding lengthwise oi the path of movement of said male die.

in a machine of the character forth, the .:cmbinati m of a female diemem her formed of relatively-mo able sections, a male die-member adapted to enter said female die-member, the end oi said 'len'iale an opening of 'l oriuing-rccess and extending with the walls (11' set - die-member, opposite to that entered hysaid male dieanember, containing an opening ccu'miunicating with the fOI'lIllI'lg-d'OUQSS in said female (lie-member, and a tape-pcsitioning surilaco below the recess in said to male die-memher and extending in a direc-, tion lengthwise oi saidrecess and substair tially midway between diamctri-ally opposed sides oi san'l recess.

In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female die1nemher formed of relatively-movahle sections, a male die-member cooperating with said tomale die-member, the end of said female dieanemher, opposite to that entered by the .male die-member, containing an opening coinmunicating and arrai'lged concentrically with the :l orming-recess therein and of less width than the width of said recess, and a surface below said recess and extending" in a direction lengthwise of said rec is: and substantially midway between diametrically opposed sides of said recess.

26. In a machine for tipping tape ends with pronged ball blanks, the combination of a female die-member formed of relatively-movable sections together "Forming the ball-"torming, recess, the bottom of which is of general spherical form and contains an opening in its bottom substantially concentric with the sides of the recess, and of relatively small Width compared with the width of said recess. and a male diemember adapted to enter said female die-imanber.

la a machine tor tipping tape ends with pronged ball illltllll'ZS, the combination of a female dieanember formed of relatively-movable sections together lormlng a ball tormiago-cross, the bo'ttmn ol' which is do'l general spherical form and contains an the end of said female l l i l l l 1 l l l l l l hal lfii ol'llilllg recess the openingin its bottom, means gage with the Lrn-t said adapted to entape, and a nnrle die-member adapted to enter said l'emale dieahember.

'28. in a mac-him for tipping tape ends with pronged ball blanks, the combination (i a l'emale die-nn-anher lormed of rela- Lively-movablc sections together forming a ,hottom of ,which is of general spheri'al form and contains an opening in its bottom, means adapted to engage with the tape in said opening and constrict said tape, a male die-member adapted to enter said female lie-memlmr, and a tape positioning surface below the recess in said i'emalc die-member and. extending lengthwise oi the path of movement of said male die-member and substantially midway between opposite sides of said recess.

29. In a machine of the cha'acter set forth, the combination of a female die-incur her formed of sections one of which is pivttally supported to be moved toward and away from the other thereof, a pivotally supported lever, means ope 'ated by said lever and engaging aid pivoted die-section at one point thereof for n'u ving said die-section toward the stationary die-section, and means operated by said pivotally supported lever and engaging said pivoted die-member at another point thereof for moving the latter away from said stationary die-member, and a male die-member operated by said pivotally supported lever, and coiipe iating with said female die-member.

30.111 a machine of the character set :lt'orth, the combination of a female tliG-[IIOII'b ber formed of a stationary section, and a section pivoted between supported lever, mains o .)erated by said lever and engaging with one end of said pivoted die-section for moving the latter toward said stationary die-section, mcaus operated by said pivoted lever and engaging the other end of said pivoted die-section for moving the latter away from said stalionanv die-section, and a male (,lieanemher ope 'aled by said lever and cooperating with said female (lie-member,

31. In. a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a female die-member formed of a stationary diesection and a die-section pivoted between its ends, a pivotally supported lever, means 0pc ated by said lever for engaging with one end of said pivoted die-section for moving the latter toward said stationarydie-section, an inclined member operativcly connected with said lever and engaging with the other end of From said stationary i;li(.*- section, and a male die ope 'atcd by said lever and coiipe Ming with said female dieonemla-r.

32. in a machine of the character set its ends, a pivotally said pivoted die-section for moving the latter away tape in said opening and con-' by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I. C.

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